The official opening game of the season took place in Gulbene, where, in the presence of the President of the Latvian Basketball Union, Raimonds Vējonis, the Bukis beat the tournament’s newcomer “Salaspili” with a score of 99:80. At the bottom of the basket, Jānis Engers worked productively in the ranks of the Gulbenians, excelling with 24 points and seven rebounds. Rihards Teirumnieks, a newcomer from Rēzekne, added 18 points and seven assists to “Gulbenes Buka”, while long-time Buka Ingars Aizpurs collected “double-double” figures with 16 points and 11 rebounds. On the opposite side, Dāvis Klegers scored the most with 24 points, while former “Buku” player Jānis Antrops scored 17 points in the baskets he is so familiar with.
On Friday evening, the tournament champion “Kandava/Angaže” showed its muscles against the team from Talse, who rarely had the joy of victory last season. Guntars Strākis’ 21 points forged the first victory of the season with a convincing 85:57. Mārcis Saulītis achieved a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. On the other hand, “Talsu” team leader Dinas Talents has 19 points and ten balls won.
Kristaps Pliavnieks in attack. Photo: Raimonds Subatović
“Jelgava”, the vice-champion of the National League, defeated the guests from Grobiņa in a productive game – 96:85. Kristaps Pļavnieks scored 30 points, grabbed nine rebounds and made seven assists against Kurzeme. Armands Gunters collected a thorough “double-double”, who added 17 rebounds to the 22 scored points. Niks Lagzdiņš scored 22 points for the visitors, while Raivo Cālītis added 12 rebounds to his 20 points.
Renārs Magone dominated the ranks of “Līvāni” against the young Ogre players, who brought “Līvāni” a 90:73 victory with 23 points and 21 rebounds. “Līvānu” reinforcement from Jēkabpils – Edijs Stiebriņš scored 22 points. Matīss Sīviņš and Didzis Mališevs scored 12 points each for BS “Ogre”.
On Saturday, the game apparently took place without defense in Ķekava, where the team led by Aigars Vītolas managed to win against “Bauska” with 102:98. Such a result of two hundred points was achieved in 40 minutes of the game without overtime. In the ranks of “Ķekava”, free hands were given to Eduard Avotini, who scored 44 (!) points. In the opposing team, two players made an impressive individual performance. Ivars Zemītis scored 39 points and grabbed ten rebounds, while Jānis Eiduks recorded 35 points and seven rebounds.
“Saldus” basketball players pleased their fans with success at the beginning of the season, who won 78:74 in overtime over Liepāja youth. The most productive player of the game, Kaspars Baumanis, sent the game to an additional five minutes from the free throw line, where Baumanis himself also scored the key baskets of the game, scoring a total of 27 points. Saldenieki newcomer Artūrs Dušelis scored 20 points. Kristaps Soldatenoks was the most productive for Liepājnieku with 24 points.
Maris Ramanis under the basket. Photo: LU basketball
The 27 points scored by Rihards Strauts and the 14 points and 17 balls won by Māras Ramans ensured the victory of “Sigulda/Moder house” in the debut game of the National League over LU/BS “Rīga”. During the weekend, Sigulda were the only ones who were able to achieve success as representatives of the visiting team, winning in Riga with 79:71. Elvi Frydenberg scored 20 points for the new exchange of students.
“Ramirent” NBL first week games
Dat.GameRes.Best03.10.Spars/VeA – Tukums71:76Sanlnājs 20 p. (9 rebounds) – Grínbergs 20 p. (7 rez.p.) 06.10.Kandava/Angaže – Talsi85:57G. Strike 21 p. – Talent 19 p. (10 rebounds) Gulbenes Buki – Salaspils99:80 Engers 24 p. – Klegeris 24 p. Jelgava – Grobiņa 96:85 Pļavnieks 30 p. (7 rez.p.) – Lagzdiņš 22 p. Limbaži – Bertānus VBS93:61 Weinbergs 22 p. (8 atl.b.) – Kazaks 13 p. Livani – BS Ogre90:73 Poppy 23 p. (21 rebounds) – Sīviņš 12 p.07.10.Ķekava – Bauska102:98 Avotiņš 44 p. – Zemītis 39 p. (10 atl.b.) Saldus – Liepāja/LSSS78:74 PBaumanis 27 p. – Soldatenoks 24 p.LU/BS Riga – Sigulda71:79 Frydenbergs 20 p. – Stream 27 p.
Members of the National League
GroupTeams WestKandava/Angāze; Jelgava; Sweet; Spars/VeA; Bauska; DSN/Wealth; Liepaja/LSSS; RTU; Grobina; Talsi; TukumsEast Gulbenes Buki; RSU/VEF Riga; UL/BS Riga; Kekava; Livans; OC Limbaži; BS Ogre; VBS of Bertani; Sigulda/Modern house; Salaspils
This week, the potential favorite teams of the tournament will already have a serious showdown. On Wednesday, a repeat of last season’s final between “Kandava/Angāsi” and “Jelgava” will take place in Kandava. On the other hand, on Friday in Riga, RSU and “Gulbenes Buki”, who shared the bronze medals, will experience a reunion, with the medical students, who were left with wooden medals, taking on the Midzemen.
“Ramirent” NBL second week calendar
Dat.SpeleRes.Best11.10.Liepāja/LSSS – Spars/VeA19.00DSN/Turība – RTU19.30 Kandava/Angāze – Jelgava20.0012.10.Bertānu VBS – Līvāni19.00 Bauska – LU/BS Rīga20.0013.10.RSU – Gulbenes Buki18.30 Grobiņa – Saldus19.30 Tukums – DSN/Turība19.30 Sigulds – Limbaži20.00 Salaspils – Ķekava20.0015.10.Talsi – RTU17.00
Resources used:
https://nbl.basket.lv/
